she must
it seems
move to rescue herself ‘cause
hearts that could help to
strengthen her soul seem
yoked
by chains of their confusion
she gave you daughters in her likeness
received them back hobbled by
caustic gavels of “control” ‘cause
some could not see the beauty nor
respect the freedom
inherent
in their
learned
self
love
she gave you sons
received them back with mangled souls
confused
not knowing that their tears do not make them
less than men
but stand in affirmation
of their capacity
to “feel”
-tears cleanse the soul-
their capacity to “see”
-tears can guide you back
to the whole of your being-
that they can “touch” and “be touched” and know
that it is good
and it is well
and it is fine and
it
is
fine
when the ground reaches back to
grab the reins of her destiny
listens to the narratives of her heart
raises her tongue in immutable ululation claiming
and renaming her domain
30
african Voices